Hi everyone,

I have posted my situation about 2 years ago in science forum. Two years has been passed and everything looks the same. I am re-posting my history and would like to hear what your thoughts are. For sure is going to help me.

2 years ago:

Hello everyone,

I have been following this excellent forum for some time and now I need your help.
I found myself in some kind of dilemma. I will try to explain my situation and I really would like to know what your opinion is.

During my PhD I spent some time in US (2009-2010) performing some specific experiments for my thesis. When I came back to my country, I was able to publish my work in a very good journal which opened a lot of doors for me. After I have finished my PhD, I received two Postdoc proposals (one in US and one in Europe) and one “real” job proposal to work for a multinational American company in my country. I end up refusing the postdoc proposals and started to work for this company.

Then my problems just started. I accepted the job basically because the salary. The position is a very technical one and in the most of the time is very repetitive. I was aware in the moment that I accepted but again, the salary was good and growing in this company is supposed to be relatively easy. However, it is very frustrating. I have prepared myself studying years and years to work in a more demanding role, not a basic one. I don’t know if I will have patience to wait 2, 3 years for a promotion.

Now I am really inclined to quit my job and start a postdoc. However, at the same time I am really afraid of making a huge mistake. I have heard that the situation of postdoc fellowships and projects grants (in US) is not so good. Also, I know that I will need at least 5 – 7 years of postdoc (in the best case scenario) to then return to my country and then apply for a position in a good department. My friends keep telling me to never quit my job.

I already know that the moment to start a postdoc is right now because I and my papers are not yet so old. I think my situation is very unusual since it is a lot more common people desiring to move from postdocs to companies. But anyway, I really would like to know your opinion. Certainly will help me somehow.
Thank you!

PS: The possibility of moving to US by working for this company is very low. They are right now outsourcing all the lab jobs.